The competition was steeper than expected for some teams with new coaches in the East Valley this past Friday. For others, a real test(s) will come later.

Perusing Aug. 26 results it was a smashing success for Chandler and Shaun Aguano (64-0 win over outmanned Kofa), Higley and Eddy Zubey (51-14 over overmatched Carl Hayden), Mesquite and Matt Gracey (20-3 triumph over Highland) and McClintock and Matt Lewis (47-14 over Tempe). As i said before, stiffer competition is ahead.

For Tom Joseph at Corona del Sol, there is a lot of work ahead for the Aztecs and the 1-10 record they left behind last year. Corona drew Basha, a playoff team that sported a 9-2 record in 2010, and was drubbed, 52-7. Campo Verde was unkind to Apache Junction and first-year coach Justin McDonald, posting a 31-6 win.

The biggest shock took place at Desert Mountain, where the Wolves hosted Mesa Mountain View and new boss Chad DeGrenier. Both teams were expected to bring a new attitude and resolve. Mountain View, a playoff team in 2010 albeit with the worst regular-season record in school history at 5-6. Desert Mountain had an 0-10 resume from 2010. The Wolves treated their faithful to a 43-7 rout of Mountain View.

The loss was the fourth in a row for Mountain View dating back to last season and the fourth worst loss by margin of defeat since the school  opened in 1976. The previous worst defeats were to Horizon (state runner-up)  in 1995 by 39 points, McClintock (state champ) in 1989 by 38 and Mesa High in 1994 by 38 points.

As I said in an earlier blog this summer, patience is the key with new coaches. Cut them some slack if you're a fan and highly disappointed by a lopsided defeat out of the gate.

Remember -- patience.